We had the same issue at our auction; school carnival etc. We simply set our machine to off-line mode and then upload the information after the event. We have never had an issue.
This is a question to ask the bank that you have the merchant account with.
I would assume (always dangerous I know) that you could process the transations manually and then enter them via your credit card terminal later. This is exactly what happens when a merchant suffers a power outage.
This method takes a manual imprint machine. These machines have an area for a "merchant" plate (the raised letters and numbers identifying you). You would also need receipt slips.
Using this method may result in a larger percentage fee being charged for each transation.
You should probably have this method in place and ready to use in case something prevents you from accepting credit cards in the future!
Another thought is to find someone with a laptop that has an air card. This would give you internet access. Test this out before hand to make sure it works.
Which ever method you decide on get going now to get ready. Do not leave it to the last minute.
When we do our book fair, the book store loans us their credit card machine, but it's not connected; there's an offline mode where it stores the info until the next day.
For our auction, we set up paypal, and had people fill out their cc numbers (along with the validation number from the back). That requires a little more trust on the part of your "customers", but if they don't like it, they can bring a check. (We had a "check-out" at the end so you paid once for everything.)
contact your bank. you might be able to get CC terminals from them or a local business may sponsor you, they do not have to be plugged in at the venue, you can plug them in the next day if you need to and you won't plug in until all of the data is collected. I know you are thinking like the retail store with instant reciept, but auction terminals don't work that way.
If you are using a software program, you can plug the terminals to the software,
If you are not using a program and just swipping for charges at check out, you can plug in when you get home. or back to school the next day.
There is a company called auction pay that does this stuff, they make you sighn a 5 year contract. Now wise these days as technology is changing so fast.
Fees might be slightly higher at the bank, try the bank the school has an account with, they may cut you a deal since the school runs a lot of money through that account.
Our annual auction is approaching and unforetunately the venue that we will be having our event has NO telephone lines or internet connection, which means that we will not be able to use our credit card terminal.
Does anyone have any advice on how we could handle this? It's very important for an auction to take credit cards so maybe manual transactions? Any advice or experience is appreciated.
